What’s in Store? Towards a Welsh Strategy for the Management of, and Access to, Archaeological Collections Report for: National Museums & Galleries of Wales The Council of Museums in Wales The Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales Authors Jane Henderson Phil Parkes Date: June 2003 Foreword In 1997 a survey of archaeological archives was undertaken in England for English Heritage and the former Museums & Galleries Commission. The resulting report by Hedley Swain was published in 1998. Archaeological archives comprise the physical record and the collected remains resulting from archaeological activity, normally excavation. The report highlighted the difficulty many museums were having properly curating archaeological archives; the lack of good guidance and standards in the creation of archaeological archives and their successful transfer to museums; and the limited use archaeological archives were being put to once in museums. It was recommended that a similar survey be undertaken in Wales. Since then English Heritage has produced a further report by Kathy Perrin ‘Archaeological Archives: Documentation, Access and Deposition’ (2002). In Spring 2002 the Archaeological Archives Forum was created. This body includes representatives of the main archaeological and museum bodies in Britain, and will work to implement the recommendations of both reports. In response to these initiatives The Council of Museums in Wales with the National Museums & Galleries of Wales (NMGW) and the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monument of Wales (RCAHMW) commissioned Cardiff based consultants Jane Henderson and Phil Parkes to undertake a similar survey in Wales. Although organisational structures may be different in Wales the problems of curating and providing access to archaeological archives are broadly the same. The opportunity was also taken to address additional issues relevant to those working in Wales. The excellent response to the questionnaire (71%) has provided valuable information to develop a future strategy. Recent changes within the Welsh Assembly Government – the portfolio of Culture Minister now includes Cadw, and the formation of CyMAL (Museums, Libraries & Archives Wales) – make this report and its recommendations of particular value and significance. It is intended that the report will stimulate further discussion amongst the archaeological and heritage community in Wales. Following further consultation, and any amendment, the report will be forwarded to the Welsh Assembly Government for consideration and action. I would like to thank the members of the steering group who have taken this work forward – Richard Brewer and Elizabeth Walker (NMGW), Hilary Malaws (RCAHMW) and Charles Hill (Glamorgan Gwent Archaeological Trust representing the four Welsh Archaeological Trusts). Our thanks are due to Jane and Phil for their hard work and stimulating discussion. The final recommendations and content of the report however remain the responsibility of the steering group. John Marjoram Acting Director Council of Museums in Wales Henderson & Parkes 1 Table of Contents Page No… Foreword .............................................................................................................................1 Table of Contents .................................................................................................................2 Index of Tables and Graphs ...................................................................................................3 1 Introduction ......................................................................................................................4 1.1 Recommendations of the Report..............................................................................5 2 Project Method ..................................................................................................................6 2.1 Project Inception....................................................................................................6 2.2 Steering Group.......................................................................................................6 2.3 Consultation Meetings ............................................................................................6 2.4 Research................................................................................................................7 2.5 Questionnaire.........................................................................................................8 2.6 Definitions .............................................................................................................8 3 The National Perspective ..................................................................................................10 3.1 UK National ........................................................................................................10 3.2 UK Archaeological Groups and Initiatives .............................................................11 3.3 Wales..................................................................................................................13 4 Current Situation..............................................................................................................17 4.1 The Status of Welsh Archaeological Archives........................................................17 4.2 The Nature of Excavated Material.........................................................................19 4.3 Standards in Operation .........................................................................................21 4.4 The Extent and Skill of Specialists in Wales ..........................................................23 4.5 Stewardship .........................................................................................................25 4.6 The Existing Provision and Approximate Capacity for Continued Collecting ...........30 4.7 The Costs of Storing Archaeological Archives .......................................................31 4.8 The Relationship between Museums and Archaeological Services with Regard to Deposition of Archaeological Archives ..........................................33 4.9 National Collections and Local Communities.........................................................37 4.10 Relationship of Finds, Samples and Documentary, Digital and Photographic Records .......................................................................................38 4.11 Timing of Deposition .........................................................................................40 5 Welsh Universities...........................................................................................................42 5.1 Collections Management ......................................................................................42 5.2 Digital Policy.......................................................................................................43 5.3 Access.................................................................................................................43 5.4 Dining Amongst the Bones ...................................................................................44 6 Arrangements for Access: Physical and Intellectual............................................................45 6.1 Access to National Collections Locally ..................................................................45 6.2 Access to Researchers and Students.......................................................................46 6.3 Access to the Public .............................................................................................46 6.4 Access by ICT .....................................................................................................47 6.5 A Review of Access Provision ..............................................................................49 7 Copyright and Ownership of Archaeological Archives .......................................................50 7.1 Copyright ............................................................................................................50 7.2 Ownership ...........................................................................................................51 8 Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats.............................................................52 8.1 Summary.............................................................................................................52 8.2 Strengths .............................................................................................................53 8.3 Weaknesses.........................................................................................................54 8.4 Opportunities .......................................................................................................56 8.5 Threats................................................................................................................58 Henderson & Parkes 2 9 Recommendations............................................................................................................61 9.1 Storage of Archaeological Archives ......................................................................62 9.2 Create a Database of Welsh Archaeological Collections .........................................66 9.3 Establish a National Panel for Archaeology ...........................................................66 9.4 CyMAL to Develop a Remit for Archaeology ........................................................71